If you or any of your loved ones have never faced a situation in which you had to sustain personal injuries, then you are one of the lucky ones. Considering the increase in the incidences of negligence, malpractice, and misconduct, anyone can become a victim of an event that leads to personal injuries.
Vehicle accidents, product defects, malpractice or negligence in medical facilities, neglect and abuse in nursing homes, neglect and abuse at child care centers, and neglect and abuse at assisted living facilities are some of the events that result in personal injuries. When harm is provided to one or more of these – the body, mind, and emotions of a person, it is considered to be a case of a personal injury.
Those who bear personal injuries can file a lawsuit against the entity that caused them those injuries intentionally or unintentionally. This lawsuit is known as a ‘personal injury lawsuit’. It comes under the category of ‘civil lawsuits’. The plaintiff can file a lawsuit against the defendant and seek compensation for the damages caused to them.
Victims of the events of personal injuries often have to encounter damages related to the cost of medical treatments, cost of therapy sessions, loss of income, traveling expenses, and so on. Traveling expenses pertain to the visits to and from medical facilities, therapy centers, pharmacies, etc. Plaintiffs can demand compensation over and above this, depending on their sufferings.
A personal injury lawyer can help plaintiffs recover the best possible amount for the compensation for physical pain, psychological trauma, and more. Some lawyers excel in the area of personal injury lawsuits owing to their knowledge and experience. You need to hire such a lawyer to get a proper legal remedy and move on with your life smoothly.
For example, in the US state of Illinois, a law firm that offers brilliant services for personal injury lawsuits is Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard. It’s worth mentioning here that despite the presence of some of the best law firms in Waukegan and other regions in Chicago, many personal injury victims refrain from taking any legal action.
The major reason behind the same is the lack of information about legal matters. People want to stay away from lawyers and court, but they forget that sometimes, the law can help them in unfavorable circumstances. On top of it, there are many myths, stigmas, and misconceptions around personal injury law. Therefore, we have tried to bust some of the myths through this blog post.
- No Need to File a Lawsuit for Minor Injuries
Some people avoid taking legal action against the parties at fault, thinking that there is no need for the same as the injuries they have sustained are minor. They believe it’s not worth taking the legal route as they can bear medical expenses easily.
However, even if the medical expenses are low, you should not let go of your right to demand compensation from the other party. Moreover, you should consult a lawyer before making the decision regarding whether to file a suit or not. Even if you decide to opt for an informal settlement, i.e., an out-of-court settlement, you should hire the services of a law firm to get a fair settlement amount.
- Cannot File a Suit against Acquaintances
Due to the belief that defendants have to pay the compensation amount from their pockets, many people feel reluctant to file a claim against their family members, relatives, friends, and neighbors. Moreover, they also don’t want to spoil their relationships with their acquaintances.
But every plaintiff must know that the compensation amount recovered is actually paid by the insurer of the defendant. Once the defendant pays the deductible, their insurance company will pay the remaining amount. As the discussion will be held by your lawyer, you don’t have to talk to the other party about the damages or suffering caused by them.
- Can File a Claim Any Time After the Event
It’s quite understandable that amidst visiting hospitals and other places to recover from the event that made you a victim of personal injuries, you might not want to get involved in legal proceedings. It can become a hassling experience to meet lawyers and attend court hearings.
So, you might want to file a lawsuit after some time. While it’s not wrong to do, you must keep in mind that as it’s a legal matter, you have to follow certain rules and regulations. The state of Illinois has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims. As per this statute that prescribes a period of limitation for filing lawsuits related to personal injuries, you have only two years from the date of the event to take legal action.
- Personal Injury Lawsuits are Time-Consuming
The perception that lawsuits take a long time to end is quite common. A legal course of action does take time, but it’s not necessary that it goes on for months and years. In fact, if your lawyer acquires the necessary details and studies the case properly on time, you can expect the verdict soon.
Some people even avoid filing a claim for compensation for personal injuries because they think they will have to spend hours in every hearing. However, the hearings of your suit can get finished in a short duration as well. If you and your lawyer prepare for the case well, you can get compensation as early as possible.
- Plaintiffs Looked at by Others with Doubt
It’s true that some people file false claims against other parties in the name of personal injuries. Some people even do it out of frustration. They might seek a compensation amount much higher than the actual cost of medical treatments borne by them.
However, just because others are misusing the personal injury law, it does not mean that you hesitate to take legal action when you are right. If you have sustained injuries due to another person or entity, you should get the compensation you are entitled to. You should not worry about being looked at by others with doubt.
When you know the facts about the personal injury lawsuits, you can explain everything in a better way to your lawyer. Moreover, you can take suitable action on a timely basis. Before making any decision regarding your personal injuries, you should consult a reputable lawyer.
Final Thoughts
If you have been a victim of a personal injury event, you should not feel guilty in asking for compensation. You should select a personal injury lawyer with due diligence.